Apparatus for dispensing containers

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing individual containers, for example flower pots, from a nested stack of containers. The apparatus may be used to dispense rows of individual containers into a larger container, for example, a tray. The apparatus includes a first extendable arm for holding the stack of containers in an elevated position within a hollow column adapted to hold the stack of containers vertical, a second extendable arm for wedging the stack of containers, with the exception of the bottom container in the stack, against the side of the column and a third extendable arm for contacting the bottom container in the stack, thereby causing the bottom container to separate from the stack and fall into the tray. The apparatus also includes a wedge disposed within the column, opposite to the second extendable arm for facilitating the exposure of the lip of the bottom container. The wedge does not extend all of the way to the bottom of the column, and therefore, when the second extendable arm pushes the stack of containers laterally against the wedge, the bottom container does not contact the wedge, but rather extends towards the third extendable arm further than the other containers.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for separating and dispensing individual containers from a stack of containers comprising: at least one hollow column having an open upper and lower mouth for holding a stack of containers substantially vertical, each of said hollow columns being operatively associated with: (a) a first extendable arm operatively associated with said hollow column whereby when said first extendable arm is extended into the lower mouth of said hollow column, said stack of containers will be prevented from falling out of said column;   (b) a second extendable arm operatively associated with said hollow column whereby after said first extendable arm is extended and thereafter said second extendable arm is extended, said second extendable arm will contact the penultimate container in the stack of containers and press said container against the side of said hollow column opposite to said second extendable arm;   (c) a wedge affixed to the inside of said hollow column on the side of said column opposite to said second extendable arm, the length of said wedge and the length of said column being substantially parallel, said wedge terminating above the bottom container in said stack of containers whereby when said second extendable arm is extended and said stack of containers is pressed against said wedge, the bottom container in the stack of containers will not be pressed against the wedge and the lip of the bottom container will extend in the direction opposite said second extendable arm further than the lips of the other containers in said stack of containers; and   (d) a third extendable arm operatively associated with said hollow column whereby said third extendable arm may extend to contact said bottom container in said stack of containers, whereby said bottom container is separated from said stack of containers.     
     
     
       2. The apparatus for separating and dispensing individual containers of claim 1 further comprising conveying means for moving an enlarged container beneath said stack of containers, whereby individual containers may be deposited into said enlarged container by said apparatus. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus for separating and dispensing individual containers of claim 2 further comprising indexing means for controlling the movement of said enlarged container whereby when said enlarged container reaches a predetermined point along said conveying means, said enlarged container will stop moving and the bottom container in said stack of containers will be deposited into said enlarged container, and thereafter, said indexing means will reactivate the movement of said enlarged container whereby a plurality of individual containers may be sequentially dispensed into said enlarged container in tight formation. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus for separating and dispensing individual containers of claim 3 wherein said indexing means comprises a series of index cylinders disposed along one side of said conveying means, each of said indexing cylinders further including an extendable prong. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus for separating and dispensing individual containers of claim 4 further comprising means for squaring the positioning of said enlarged container relative to said apparatus, said squaring means being disposed on the side of said conveying means opposite to said indexing means. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus for separating and dispensing individual containers of claim 1 wherein said apparatus can separate and distribute individual containers from seven columns of containers substantially simultaneously. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus for separating and dispensing individual containers of claim 1 wherein said second extendable arm is disposed directly above said first extendable arm. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus for separating and dispensing individual containers of claim 7 wherein said third extendable arm is disposed on substantially the opposite side of said stack of containers relative to said first extendable arm and said second extendable arm. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus for separating and dispensing individual containers of claim 8 wherein said wedge includes a slot, whereby said third extendable arm may extend through said slot in said wedge to contact said bottom container. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus for separating and dispensing individual containers of claim 1 wherein the front edge of said second extendable arm is notched. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus for separating and dispensing individual containers of claim 1 wherein said first, second and third extendable arms are extended and retracted by pneumatic means. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus for separating and dispensing individual containers of claim 1 wherein said first, second and third extendable arms are extended and retracted by hydraulic means. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus for separating and dispensing individual containers of claim 1 wherein said third extendable arm contacts the lip of said bottom container. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus for separating and dispensing individual containers of claim 1 wherein said third extendable arm contacts the bottom of said bottom container. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus for separating and dispensing individual containers from a stack of containers comprising: (a) a hollow column for holding said stack of containers substantially vertical, said column having an open upper and lower mouth;   (b) a first extendable arm operatively associated with said hollow column whereby when said first extendable arm is extended into the lower mouth of said hollow column, said stack of containers will be prevented from falling out of said column;   (c) a second extendable arm operatively associated with said hollow column whereby after said first extendable arm is extended and thereafter said second extendable arm is extended, said second extendable arm will contact the penultimate container in the stack of containers and press said container against the side of said hollow column opposite to said second extendable arm;   (d) a wedge affixed to the inside of said hollow column on the side of said column opposite to said second extendable arm, the length of said wedge and the length of said column being substantially parallel, said wedge terminating above the top of the bottom container in said stack of containers whereby when said second extendable arm is extended and said stack of containers is pressed against said wedge, the bottom container in the stack of containers will not be pressed against the wedge and the lip of the bottom container will extend in the direction opposite said second extendable arm further than the other containers in said stack of containers; and   (e) a third extendable arm operatively associated with said hollow column whereby said third extendable arm may extend to contact said bottom container in said stack of containers, whereby said bottom container is separated from said stack of containers.   
     
     
       16. A device for separating and dispensing a plurality of individual containers from a plurality of columns of containers, said device comprising a plurality of the apparatuses of claim 11.